Courtenay Myers Lima > Latham & Watkins LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

The derivatives and structured products department at Latham & Watkins LLP is a strong choice for clients requiring expertise in the full gamut of OTC, futures, options, swaps, and other exchange-traded derivative contracts, along with considerable international expertise in derivative regulations. The team is The team’s strength in equity-linked products and OTC derivatives is complemented by a strong track record in the fintech and digital asset space, including cryptocurrency, digital assets, and blockchain products. The team is headed by its New York-based partners, which includes Yvette Valdez, who is well-regarded for her expertise in crypto derivatives, complex digital assets, and distributed ledger technology. Rafal Gawlowski is a key member of the team for unconventional derivative products, including accelerated forwards, call spread overlays, and various transactions linked to the equity market . Witold Balaban includes JP Morgan, UBS, Goldman Sachs as others among his portfolio of clients for his expertise in the OTC derivatives market. Doug Yatter is a point of contact for contentious matters and investigations requiring expertise in CFTC regulation, while Courtenay Myers Lima is experienced in note issuance programs, commercial paper and initial public offerings. Reza Mojtabaee-Zamani and Catherine Lee are also key members of the team.

Latham & Watkins LLP advises financial institutions on a broad range of banking and broker-dealer regulatory matters, including compliance, transactions, enforcement, and litigation. The firm is recognised for its expertise in navigating complex regulatory frameworks and engaging with agencies such as the SEC, FINRA, and the Federal Reserve. The banking regulatory team has been active in analysing and commenting on the Basel III Endgame proposal, providing insights into its potential impact on the industry. On the broker-dealer side, the firm advises on compliance, registration, cross-border issues, M&A involving regulated entities, and enforcement matters. The practice also addresses emerging fintech regulations and developments in electronic trading platforms. The firm’s global reach and multidisciplinary approach enable it to assist clients with regulatory challenges across multiple jurisdictions. The banking practice is led by Arthur Long and Courtenay Myers Lima in New York, while the broker-dealer practice is headed by Stephen Wink in New York and John J. Sikora Jr. in Chicago. Located in New York, Pia Naib advises banks and other financial services clients on crypto regulations in addition to issues tied to Dodd-Frank, the Volcker Rule and the Consumer Protection Act.